I’m sure there are countless others in the same situation as me but I still had to ask for help because I feel so lost and helpless right now.

I’m a 20 year old student originating from Bangladesh who is in his freshman year as an international student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science at Mercy College in NY. I used to live with a single mother in Bangladesh, and after much hardship, kindness and even deception, I’ve been able to fulfill my mum’s dream of me studying abroad.

Even though there has been much in my favor, like my partner’s family letting me live with them, I still have a major concern that’s been haunting me: paying tuition. Even after applying a generous scholarship, I still have to pay around $7500 each semester. My middle class working mother has been able to save enough for my first year but I took responsibility to earn the rest.

But it’s been hard. Not being legally allowed to work outside campus, I’ve tried working a $9/hr job and even doing food delivery to try to make that cash but they haven’t been enough.

While I wouldn’t say no to free handouts, I’m willing to work hard to earn my own tuition. But I need help. If you know of any opportunities that can help me fund my tuitions please let me know. I’ve been told there are many grants, funds and scholarships out there but I know little of them past fastweb and scholarships.com. If you have information of any such resources please comment them down below. Thank you in advance!